Is top gear Very inportant?

1.
Posted byRicardo(Budding Member 79 posts) 12y
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Hey, Just a quick question.I am going to OZ later this year and am planning to stay for 1 year.All the books etc that I have read suggest that you buy certain sleeping bags and backpacks and also say that you should take things such as medical kits, needle kits and other things like this.Would you guys advise getting everything the books say or just what you think you will need and is it better to buy all the more expensive gear.Any advice on this would be greatly recieved

2.
Posted byalgore(Full Member 88 posts) 12y
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You won't need first aid kits unless you're going to be camping in the outback or the red centre. The main urban centres all have readily available medical centres (although the waiting time there does leave much to be desired if you don't have a serious injury)

As for the other stuff, ditto. It depends on where you're travelling. If the cities it really won't matter if you have top notch stuff. If you're actually going hiking or camping then you'll need something better.

I take a small first aid kit whenever I travel. Simple things like bandaids, panadol and anti-diarheaoa (sp?) tablets come in pretty handy. I don't think there's much point in a needle kit though!

And sleeping bags are a bit of overkill, unless you plan to do a lot of hiking.

4.
Posted byjax_07(Full Member 76 posts) 12y
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Hey Ricardo

I've been travelling since the end of December and before I came away I bought all the things I was told I should - everything!!!

In regards to the backpack, I bought a Karrimor and they are supposed to be the best but, the top brands are much the same. One tip would be to get one with wheels! Mine hasn't and it's such a pain!!!

A little first aid kit is a good idea, mainly Paracetamol an plasters! Anything more specialised is just something you've got in your bag taking up space that you might not need! If you do need anything specific you'll be able to get it in Oz.

I didn't bring a sleeping bag as I had no plan to camp (that's the deciding factor in regards to that). However, what I did bring was bring a sleeping bag liner which is just a sheet sown up one side but, it's mine and I know it's clean - something of a necessity in some hostels!

The sewing kit is an idea but just literally make it a needle and thread - you'll soon learn that every bit of space in you ricksack is priceless!

Basically, what I would do is bring the bare minimum in order to have space in your bag then, whatever you find you need just buy when you're in Oz. That's what I wish I'd done.

Hope that helps. Oz is fab and you'll have a great time - once you're here you'll wonder why you spent so much time thinking about what you 'might' need!